Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq have signed Jamaica international forward Demarai Gray from Everton and have aimed a dig at Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp via their announcement.
Al-Ittihad have been trying to sign Mohamed Salah from the Reds but have seen their £150 million bid turned down.
Klopp has insisted the Egyptian is not for sale this summer, and Al-Ettifaq has found a way to poke fun at the German and Al-Ittihad’s pursuit of Salah.
𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 🎮🟢#Ettifaq | @22Demarai | #GrayXEttifaq pic.twitter.com/C9ymLvD08B
— Ettifaq Club (@Ettifaq_EN) September 7, 2023
Steven Gerrard’s side took to X to announce the arrival of Gray from the Toffees, and they referenced Liverpool, Klopp and Salah in the video.
The Saudi Pro League transfer window closes today (September 7), and according to CBS journalist James Benge, there has been no indication that the impasse over Salah has been broken with a new bid despite the fact that Al-Ittihad are yet to identify alternative targets.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been desperate to land the Reds star and were willing to hand him around £1.5m-per-week wages, but they will have to wait until next summer to have a chance of luring the former AS Roma star to the Middle East.
Al-Ittihad also attempted to sign Liverpool centre-backs Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate having snapped up Fabinho earlier in the transfer window, but the duo will remain at the Anfield club until further notice.
Jordan Henderson moved to Ettifaq in July while Roberto Firmino left for Al-Ahli after his contract ended, and more players from Liverpool are likely to swap the Premier League for the Saudi Pro League in subsequent transfer windows.
Holding on to Salah beyond next season could be difficult for the Reds, with Jamie Carragher admitting an exit could be on the cards in 12 months, and SportsView believe the club should be keeping an eye on this trio as potential replacements.
